Nov. 2, 1988

A group of some 40 Gorham residents concerned about gravel pits in the town tried to have a meeting in the council chambers Monday afternoon. But their plan to go over a proposed draft ordinance on the subject of gravel pits was torpedoed by Danny and Jon Shaw and a score of Shaw Brothers employees and supporters who arrived just as the meeting was started. They criticized the organizers for not inviting pit operators to the meeting that was essential to their livelihoods. Mark Barnes, Shaw Brothers office manager, also criticized the five town councilors who attended the meeting without also inviting pit operators. “I’m appalled that the councilors are here,” he said. “The people who are most directly affected by this ordinance were not informed of the meeting.”

More than 175 employees and friends of Southworth Systems Inc. and Westbrook public officials attended the Oct. 12 ribbon-cutting ceremonies at their new 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 85 Bradley Drive in Westbrook. The actual ribbon cutting was performed by Sarah Googins, 8, and Kevin Googins, 6, whose father, Jim Googins, is employed by Southworth Systems as a machinist. The company makes hydraulic lift tables and roll handling systems for use by manufacturers and converters of paper, film, foil and fabrics.

The Westbrook Chamber of Commerce, in a letter to the editor, endorsed the proposal for $6.5 million in improvements to the Westbrook High School. The issue is on the ballot next week. “It answers the basic complaints voiced over the previous bond issue and offers greatly needed improvements in a practical approach with no ‘gold plate,’” said Barbara Sarvak, director of the Community Chambers.

Gorham referendum issues to be voted on next week include $125,000 for repairs to the high school roof and $194,479 for a new fire truck to replace Tank 1 at the South Gorham-North Scarborough station.

Westbrook teachers and the School Committee have signed a two-year contract that gives the teachers at least $16,900 this year and $18,000 next year. Those with the most experience and post-graduate study go to $33,800 this year and $36,000 next year. The raises, averaging a little more than 6 percent each year, are retroactive to Sept. 1. The contract came after prolonged negotiating that saw a mediator sitting in to try to bring a settlement. Settlement came after the mediator pulled out. In the end, the teachers agreed to a School Committee stipulation that they help pay for insurance, which has been climbing sharply in cost.

Nov. 4, 1998

Westbrook aldermen are one vote away from banning through trucks on the downtown section of Main Street. The City Council voted 6-0 on first reading Monday to amend the city’s Uniform Traffic Ordinance to prohibit through truck trips on Main Street between the Westbrook Arterial and Saco Street. A final vote could come Nov. 16. A truck route would be established on William Clarke Drive and, according to some aldermen, would not conflict with plans to “dress it up” with a grassy center median.

Construction of a new post office in Gorham will begin this week with the pouring of cement at 25 Mechanic St. It will be under construction for nine months, with completion in the summer or early fall. The new post office will incorporate the rural carrier routes for West Buxton. The post office has 31 employees, and will add six when the construction is completed.

Westbrook High School’s marching band won the state championship for the state’s biggest bands on Walton Field in Auburn Friday and will compete for the New England Championship Nov. 8 on Nickerson Field at Boston University.

Mayor Donald Esty Jr. will deliver the keynote address in a Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in Riverbank Park, Westbrook. Other speakers include Robert Guitard, commander of the Stephen W. Manchester American Legion Post 62; Tom Caron, first vice commander; and Robert Barton, second vice commander. Vocalist Junie Dugas will provide music. The post will hold its annual flag disposal ceremony at 9 a.m.

Martha Brackett, Westbrook’s deputy city clerk, has been chosen by Mayor Donald Esty Jr. to lead the cross-training of all City Hall employees, a program Esty believes will improve efficiency and job satisfaction. The aim is to have more people to serve in more capacities in the work of the finance, inspection, clerk’s and other offices.

American National Power’s proposed gas-fired power plant in Gorham is one step closer to construction. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Air Quality issued the draft permit for an air quality license on Oct. 27. The town’s Planning Board granted approval for the $400 million power plant on the Ross Grant property in June. The only other obstacle to the construction is the approval of the electric transmission interconnection by NEPOOL, the New England association for power producers, according to Guy Marchmont, ANP vice president.

50 YEARS AGO

The Westbrook American reported on Oct. 30, 1963, that the monthly child health conference was to be held in the fellowship room at the School Street Methodist Church in Gorham. Dr. Robert Love and town nurse Elizabeth Getty would be assisted by Mrs. Robert Smith and other members of Gorham Health Council.

Mabel Golder had returned to the home of her niece, Virginia Briggs, in West Buxton after visiting friends and relatives in Massachusetts for several weeks.

This old house was built by Zachariah Brackett around 1810 with bricks burned in his brickyard at Prides Corner. A large brick addition, facing Main Street, was built around 1850 by Brackett for his son, Sewell Brackett. This large addition was for the family’s stove and tinware business. During the Civil War, an upper portion of this building was supposedly used as part of the Underground Railroad helping slaves to flee into Canada. In later years the property was owned by the LaFond family and the first and second floors of the Main Street side housed the LaFond Department Store. The LaFond store closed, and in later years Hub Furniture occupied the store portion of the building, with the rest divided into rental apartments. Urban renewal took this property and the building was demolished. The site, now a small plaza featuring the now-defunct Blue Note fountain, has a plaque in recognition of Westbrook’s contribution to the Underground Railroad. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 Bridge St. Inquiries can be emailed to westhistorical@myfairpoint.net. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org.